This week, all sixth, seventh and eighth-grade students had the opportunity to participate in the Kane County Judges presentation on digital safety. Judge Betsy Flood and Judge Julie Yetter came to Wredling Middle School to share their courtroom experiences with our Redhawks. The goal of the presentation is to educate students about the use of social media and electronics to prevent them from using it in a way that requires them to appear in Court. “I have seen the devastating results that can occur as a result of one bad decision of a young person,” says Judge Clint Hull. “If we can get these students to think, ‘Wow, that could happen to me’ or ‘I didn’t realize that could really happen because of just forwarding a picture or a text’ then we have begun to make at least a dent in the way young people communicate today."

Kane County Judges have presented “Worries of the World Wide Web” over fifty times to schools throughout Kane County speaking to over 20,000 students. The IJA launched the statewide program in January of 2017. For further information about the program, write the Illinois Judges Association at 321 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL 60604, call (312) 431-1283 or email the association at info@ija.org.

On Monday of this week, our student information system (eSchool, HAC) was down for the majority of the day. This outage interfered with our ability to look up student information, parent contact information, etc. Though we were ultimately able to access student schedules via third-party software. During this time we discovered how dependent we have become on technology in so many facets of our lives.

We also discovered that many students do not have an emergency phone number memorized. This weekend would be a good time to help your middle schooler memorize one (or more) important phone numbers. For students who struggle with memorization, you may wish to find a place in their planner or backpack to write these numbers down. You never know when this information can come in handy.

Technology is great when it works but having an "old school" backup plan is always a good option.

We will regularly feature our Social Emotional Learning information in our Friday Forecast. See the article at the top of this newsletter about helping teenagers deal with stress! This is out SEL information for this week.

Our Wredling RedHawks hosted a great game tonight vs the Thompson Thunder. Members of the St. Charles East Boys Basketball team were in attendance to cheer on both teams. Their presence was much appreciated! Ultimately the win went to our Lady RedHawks - Congratulations!!! Maybe our RedHawks and the Thunder can show the same spirit & support to the High Schools!

March 19, 2020
Wake Up Call
Haines Building Gymnasium
6:30-8:00 p.m

Wake Up Call is a three-part drug and alcohol prevention presentation. The first part of the presentation focuses on current trends such as vaping, marijuana, alcohol and prescription pills. Next, attendees are walked through a life-size teen bedroom with more than 20 “red flags” that can signal drug or alcohol use. The bedroom identifies spots where drugs can be hidden, household items that can be used as drug paraphernalia and ways teens try to cover up drug and alcohol use. Lastly, attendees will learn practical prevention strategies to prevent substance abuse and where to go for help if they are concerned.

CLICK ON THE GOOGLE FORM BELOW TO REGISTER

District 303 Parent University presents our second annual book study when we read "The Whole Brain Child" by Dr. Dan Siegel.

In this pioneering, practical book, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling book Mindsight, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson demystify the meltdowns and aggravation, explaining the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures. The “upstairs brain,” which makes decisions and balances emotions, is under construction until the mid-twenties. Conversations will be based upon the book as well as supplemental workbook activities.

Study sessions will be offered during both morning and evening times at the following locations:

• Baker Community Center (101 S. 2nd Street, St. Charles)
• Fox Ridge in the LRC (1905 Tyler Road, St. Charles)

Join us for the book study sessions on the following dates:

February 13, 2020

9:15-10:30 a.m. at Baker Community Center

6:30-7:45 p.m. at Fox Ridge in the LRC

February 27, 2020

9:15-10:30 a.m. at Baker Community Center

6:30-7:45 p.m. at Fox Ridge in the LRC

March 12, 2020

9:15-10:30 a.m. at Baker Community Center

6:30-7:45 p.m. at Fox Ridge in the LRC